diff --git a/kong/llm/plugin/shared-filters/normalize-response-header.lua b/kong/llm/plugin/shared-filters/normalize-response-header.lua
index 3ab240a1527..3420f5328c5 100644
--- a/kong/llm/plugin/shared-filters/normalize-response-header.lua
+++ b/kong/llm/plugin/shared-filters/normalize-response-header.lua
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ function _M:run(_)
     else
       kong.response.clear_header("Content-Encoding")
     end
-  else
+  elseif not get_global_ctx("response_body_sent") then
     kong.response.clear_header("Content-Encoding")
   end
   return true